MUNICIPAL ELECTION ACT

I think hind sight being 20/20 it is easy to suggest that the Municipal Election Act has not been given the attention and respect it deserves. Currently Councillor Scott Hahn in Woolwich Township (Region of Waterloo) is learning firsthand that he should have paid much more attention to flash drives, paperwork and seminars provided prior to the election.

I've been delving into some of the intricacies of this legislation and am frankly shocked by the details and specifics. For example Councillor Hahn is currently at the Auditor stage and it would be difficult to believe that the Auditor's Report won't be harsh in regards to his paperwork failures. The Councillor's original expense report listed approximately $258 in expenses whereas after the second public meeting of the Audit Committee he is at $3,200 and counting. It is especially likely that the Auditor will be unimpressed with last minute invoice/receipts that were produced suggesting that an overpayment by the Councillor's father on a company cheque was remedied a couple of weeks later via three individuals splitting the bill into legal sized portions ie. each contribution under $750.

When this Auditor's report is delivered to the Township Clerk and the Audit Committee it will be important for members of the public to advise the Committee that Woolwich is not Dogpatch. Woolwich must not permit themselves to lessen the magnitude of the consequences of ignoring the rules in place regarding campaign expenses. Woolwich needs to step up and make it clear that they will not turn a blind eye to infractions regarding election rules.